The survivor of a helicopter crash that killed two others could have been in the wreckage in the Poconos woods overnight for as long as 4½ hours while authorities searched for the missing aircraft.

ANDREW SCOTT

The survivor of a helicopter crash that killed two others could have been in the wreckage in the Poconos woods overnight for as long as 4½ hours while authorities searched for the missing aircraft.

The chopper crashed about 100 yards from Interstate 380 and about two miles from Mount Pocono some time Tuesday night.

It was first reported missing to police around 10 p.m. An initial search was unsuccessful.

Its wreckage was not discovered until about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, authorities said.

A trucker had seen a helicopter flying in rough weather along I-380 around 8 p.m. Tuesday, Monroe County Coroner Bob Allen said.

The chopper was believed headed to Pocono Mountains Municipal Airport looking to escape the heavy weather when it crashed, police said.

Stephen Barral of Bernardsville, N.J., a rear-seat passenger, survived the crash but was critically injured. He was first taken to Pocono Medical Center and later transferred to Lehigh Valley Hospital.

When Barral called for help on a cellphone, the U.S. Air Force and the Monroe County Control Center were able to rely on GPS technology to hone in on the crash site, according to Pocono Mountain Regional Police. Barral's family declined to comment Wednesday.